Flexible wrist-type element and methods of manufacture and use thereof

Abstract

A flexible wrist-type element and methods of operation thereof, including variations having an angularly moveable hub housing a rotatable and operable end effector driven via a drive train having one or more universal-type joints and/or other flexible couplings moveable via an input mechanism within a housing.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY[0001]This Application for patent claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61 / 076,432 entitled “FLEXIBLE WRIST-TYPE ELEMENT FOR SURGICAL APPLICATIONS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE THEREOF” filed Jun. 27, 2008, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0002]This application is related to applicants' co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 352,899 titled “HAND-ARTICULATING SURGICAL TOOL” filed Feb. 13, 2006, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 775,170 titled “SURGICAL TOOL KIT” filed Jul. 9, 2007, and PCT Appl. No. PCT / U.S.07 / 86416 titled “INSTRUMENT POSITIONING / HOLDING DEVICES” filed Dec. 4, 2007, the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]Aspects of the present invention relate to a flexible wrist-type element and methods of manufacture and use thereof, including variations having an angularly...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]In another aspect, the flexible wrist-type element described above may further comprise a guide housing movably connected to the body housing and the hub, wherein the guide housing is further movably connected to at least one of the plurality of couplings and comprises a support surface supporting the at least one of the plurality of couplings during movement of the first end of the hub to the first position defining the first angle. Optionally, in this aspect, the support surface may limit an amount of pivoting between the plurality of couplings. In another option of this aspect, the support surface may prevent portions of the plurality of couplings from collapsing under compression and maintains alignment of the plurality of couplings under extension. In yet another option, the body housing may comprise an extension adjacent to the hub, wherein the extension comprises an inner wall defining a first slot, wherein the guide housing further comprises a support element, and further comprising a guide element having a first guide end, a second guide en

Problems solved by technology

Some mechanisms have been produced in the related art, including push-pull cables in guide tubes, pulley-cable mechanisms, and hydraulic mechanisms, however, none of these related art mechanisms effectively combine such motions as axial and rotar

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